State relays always bring out the best in athletes and this year was no different. Illawarra Blue Stars submitted teams in both men’s and women’s and then combined with the Nowra club to field teams under the South Coast banner. It was a great weekend of relays and our teams were well up with the top teams and have to be congratulated on their great sportsmanship and determination. Our open women of Toyah Edwards, Jessica Hogg, Rebecca Dos Santos, Kaitlyn Neto (4 x 100) and Kaisha Edwards substituting in the 4 x 200, witnessed one of the best 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 performances when state records were broken. They were not deterred and contested both sprints and then backed up for the open medley, taking out 5th in this event, 8th in the 2 x 200 and 10th in the 4 x 100. The under 18 men’s teams in the shot and discus saw two Blue Stars and two Nowra athletes combine to take out two 4th spots. Our open men also performed well and once again were up against the very best in strong teams contesting the finals. Our men of Cameron Chisolm, Kyle Grubnik, Connor Dymond and Lachlan Parry, showed a lot of grit just by making the final in 9th spot but then took out a well earnt 6th spot in the final, a very close event with only 10ths separating the top teams. The under 14 men’s team gave a lot away in age but gave solid performances al lround bringing home a surprised bronze medal in the shot with Cooper Deegan, Joshua Hoskings, Drew Langdon and Elias Oldfied outstanding. They also took out 6th in the 4 x 100, 4th in the discus, and 5th in the 4 x 1500, Joshua Smith moving into the 4 x 1500m. Jonti Faulker teamed with Nowra athletes in the men’s under 18 4 x 400 and were just edged out of the major placings, whilst in the men’s under 20 with Vincent Trevillion and Jonti Faulkner teamed with two Nowra athletes to bring home a surprise silver medal in the 4 x 200metres. The masters athletes never cease to amaze and always fly the banner in a manner that all members should be proud of. Competing in the men’s 4 x 100 and 4 x 200, female athlete Dianne O,Toole teamed with her club mates John Lamb, Colin Clarson, David McCann, to make up the age bracket of 240 years. They ran superbly to take the bronze medal in the 4 x 100metres and 5th in the 4 x 200metres. McCann, Lamb and Clarson then teamed with Nowra specialist 400 athlete Erin Smart to bring home 2nd in one of the best races on the program - the men’s 4 x 400 in the 200 years age bracket. The Under 16 girls teams ran well and gave it everything against some of the top junior athletes in the state finishing in 5th spot in the 4 x 200. Abby Cox, Charlotte Smith, Ashlyn Adams and Nowra Hanah Bright look to have a bright future. The under 18 girls also teamed well and with high jumper Grace Shaw substituting for sprint athlete Emma Matthews, who was not available, the team did well, with 8th in the 4 x 100. The team of Natasha Hynoski, Grace Adams, Grace Shaw and Ashyn Adams, combined well. They then backed up to take out 7th spot in the womens 4 x 200. Masters women in the 160 age bracket fought hard to take out 5th in the 4 x 100, but it was the 2nd placing in the women’s 4 x 200 -160 age bracket that saw them fight all the way. The team was Rina Flynn, Dianne O’Toole Sara Guevara and Nowra’s Erin Smart. Backing up, O’Toole, Guevara, Flynn and Heidi Smith brought home another surprise medal with 2nd in the 4 x 100 200 age bracket, giving our masters athletes another successful relay meet. Great to have Nowra club combine as many athletes would have missed a spot in many teams so we thank our Nowra friends. Congratulations to three local athletes who combined with their senior women’s teams to break the state record in the women’s 4 x 100 metres, Illawong and UTS Crossing the line locked together and only 100ths separating them. This event was certainly the best on the program and we congratulate the local girls who took part for the respective clubs. The record has stood since the Melinda Gainsford era and was one of the great records in the books.

State relays always bring out the best in athletes and this year was no different. Illawarra Blue Stars submitted teams in both men’s and women’s and then combined with the Nowra club to field teams under the South Coast banner.

It was a great weekend of relays and our teams were well up with the top teams and have to be congratulated on their great sportsmanship and determination.

Our open women of Toyah Edwards, Jessica Hogg, Rebecca Dos Santos, Kaitlyn Neto (4 x 100) and Kaisha Edwards substituting in the 4 x 200, witnessed one of the best 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 performances when state records were broken.

They were not deterred and contested both sprints and then backed up for the open medley, taking out 5th in this event, 8th in the 2 x 200 and 10th in the 4 x 100.

The under 18 men’s teams in the shot and discus saw two Blue Stars and two Nowra athletes combine to take out two 4th spots.

Our open men also performed well and once again were up against the very best in strong teams contesting the finals. Our men of Cameron Chisolm, Kyle Grubnik, Connor Dymond and Lachlan Parry, showed a lot of grit just by making the final in 9th spot but then took out a well earnt 6th spot in the final, a very close event with only 10ths separating the top teams.

The under 14 men’s team gave a lot away in age but gave solid performances al lround bringing home a surprised bronze medal in the shot with Cooper Deegan, Joshua Hoskings, Drew Langdon and Elias Oldfied outstanding.

They also took out 6th in the 4 x 100, 4th in the discus, and 5th in the 4 x 1500, Joshua Smith moving into the 4 x 1500m.

Jonti Faulker teamed with Nowra athletes in the men’s under 18 4 x 400 and were just edged out of the major placings, whilst in the men’s under 20 with Vincent Trevillion and Jonti Faulkner teamed with two Nowra athletes to bring home a surprise silver medal in the 4 x 200metres.

The masters athletes never cease to amaze and always fly the banner in a manner that all members should be proud of.

Competing in the men’s 4 x 100 and 4 x 200, female athlete Dianne O,Toole teamed with her club mates John Lamb, Colin Clarson, David McCann, to make up the age bracket of 240 years.

They ran superbly to take the bronze medal in the 4 x 100metres and 5th in the 4 x 200metres.

McCann, Lamb and Clarson then teamed with Nowra specialist 400 athlete Erin Smart to bring home 2nd in one of the best races on the program - the men’s 4 x 400 in the 200 years age bracket.

The Under 16 girls teams ran well and gave it everything against some of the top junior athletes in the state finishing in 5th spot in the 4 x 200. Abby Cox, Charlotte Smith, Ashlyn Adams and Nowra Hanah Bright look to have a bright future.

The under 18 girls also teamed well and with high jumper Grace Shaw substituting for sprint athlete Emma Matthews, who was not available, the team did well, with 8th in the 4 x 100. The team of Natasha Hynoski, Grace Adams, Grace Shaw and Ashyn Adams, combined well. They then backed up to take out 7th spot in the womens 4 x 200.

Masters women in the 160 age bracket fought hard to take out 5th in the 4 x 100, but it was the 2nd placing in the women’s 4 x 200 -160 age bracket that saw them fight all the way. The team was Rina Flynn, Dianne O’Toole Sara Guevara and Nowra’s Erin Smart.

Great to have Nowra club combine as many athletes would have missed a spot in many teams so we thank our Nowra friends.

Congratulations to three local athletes who combined with their senior women’s teams to break the state record in the women’s 4 x 100 metres, Illawong and UTS Crossing the line locked together and only 100ths separating them. This event was certainly the best on the program and we congratulate the local girls who took part for the respective clubs. The record has stood since the Melinda Gainsford era and was one of the great records in the books.